1997 Honda CR-V Review
1997 Honda CR-V Review
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+5
Used CR-V for sale
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Edmunds' Expert Review
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Pros
- Honda quality, full-time all-wheel drive, spacious interior.
Cons
- A manual transmission is not offered, and the engine is a bit weak for such a large vehicle.
What’s new
Priced competitively with mini-utes, the new CR-V offers more passenger room and cargo capacity than its peers. The CR-V is available with antilock brakes.
Cost to DriveCost to drive estimates for the 1997 Honda CR-V 4dr SUV AWD and comparison vehicles are based on 15,000 miles per year (with a mix of 55% city and 45% highway driving) and energy estimates of N/A undefined in Michigan.
Monthly estimates based on costs in Michigan
Not EPA tested for CR-V Base
CR-V Base
vs
$205/mo
Avg. Midsize SUV
Vehicle overview
For years, Honda has been selling a sport-utility vehicle that many consider a fraud. Forget that the Honda Passport is based on the very rugged and capable Isuzu Rodeo, to Honda aficionados it is not a real Honda. (Think of how the Porsche 914 fares in the eyes of diehard Porsche fanatics.) Thus, to many people, the CR-V is the first Honda sport-utility vehicle.
Built on the Civic platform, the CR-V successfully integrates familiar Honda components into an all-new design. Honda's famous four-wheel double-wishbone suspension makes an appearance on the CR-V, the first ever application of four-wheel double-wishbone technology on a sport-ute, as does the very familiar four-speed automatic transmission. The 2.0-liter DOHC inline four-cylinder engine makes 126-horsepower and 133 ft-lbs. of torque. The CR-V's real time four-wheel drive system is a derivative of the unit that Honda initially offered on their Civic wagon. The result of using all of these car components is that the CR-V looks and feels rather like, um, a car.
The CR-V's interior is instantly recognizable to anyone who has spent any time in Honda's passenger cars. Functionality takes precedence over style in the CR-V's cabin, and the result is easy-to-read gauges, well-placed controls, and high-quality, if somewhat boring, interior materials. Fit and finish is equal to the highly-acclaimed Accord. The CR-V offers comfortable chairs for its occupants, each of which has excellent visibility and the ability to recline when the trip grows long. The CR-V's cargo capacity is an outstanding 67.2 cubic feet when the rear seats are folded.
Available in only one trim-level, the CR-V is surprisingly well-equipped. Air conditioning with a micron filtration system is standard, as are power windows, power door locks, rear window wiper and defogger, AM/FM stereo, and a folding picnic table that doubles as a cargo area cover. Options include antilock brakes and alloy wheels.
The CR-V is not meant to replace hard-core recreational vehicles like the Jeep Wrangler or Toyota 4Runner. Instead, it is meant for the person who wants the functionality of a sport utility without having to pay an exorbitant sticker price and huge gas bills. The CR-V will get people to work and back in all but the worst weather, and to their favorite picnic area, assuming it's not on the Rubicon Trail. Best of all, it's a sport-utility vehicle that Honda-lovers can finally call their own.
Consumer reviews
Read what other owners think about the Used 1997 Honda CR-V.
5 star(67%)
4 star(29%)
3 star(2%)
2 star(0%)
1 star(2%)
49 reviews
Trending topics in reviews
Most helpful consumer reviews
5 out of 5 stars
Love My CR-V!
hondacrv7, 05/18/2011
1997 Honda CR-V 4dr SUV AWD
I bought her used and have really only put minimal repairs into her. She only had 1 owner before me. They kept great records. I always take good care of her and keep her tuned up. I have had her for over 6 years and have put over 80 thousand miles on her. She has a totally of over 160,000 miles. She has been a GEM! I started looking for more fuel effecient vehicles lately, but I really … don't want to give her up. I would have bought a new CR-V if they had kept a similiar style, but I really do not like the new style. Maybe, I'll just wait till' she finally gives out on me. Her qualities will be hard to match! Great in the snow, durable, long lasting reliability and overall Outstanding quality
5 out of 5 stars
I bought my CRV in February 1997
Happy CRV Owner, 09/27/2015
1997 Honda CR-V 4dr SUV AWD
I bought my CRV with 13 miles on the odometer. Today my vehicle has approximately 264,000 miles. Maintenance costs have been minimal. I completely forgot to change the timing belt until the car had 175k miles on it. The mechanic later showed me the timing belt and said it was in incredibly good shape for having weathered that many miles. The only major repair I have had to speak of … is replacing the radiator.
I live in a cold weather climate and never have to worry about ice and snow. The AWD kicks in when needed and I just plow on and get to my destination.
The car is 18 years old and I can honestly say it drives the same way today as when I first bought it in '97.
5 out of 5 stars
Loved this car, she took a long time to wear out!
nicoleinwi, 07/26/2011
1997 Honda CR-V 4dr SUV AWD
I bought my 1997 CR-V in 2002 with 100,000 miles on it at the time. I put on enough to get it up to 262,000 miles as of this month. Just yesterday the car finally broke down to the point where it's not economical to fix (transmission).
I've been told that had I changed the transmission fluid regularly this car could have stood a chance to last even longer than it already did. As it is … I feel I got way more than my money's worth out of this great vehicle. I had to replace the radiator in 2009, but other than that most repairs I recall doing on this car were relatively minor. I'm sad she finally broke so bad!
4.63 out of 5 stars
Still going strong
Paul Vdp, 08/02/2010
1997 Honda CR-V 4dr SUV AWD
Bought this CRV used in 2001 and have been driving it ever since. Great reliable vehicle. Doesn't get any better. Some what under powered but that is really the only major thing I would want changed. Would like to get something else to drive as after 9 years, I'm getting bored of it .. but it just won't die and it not worth trading, so I'll just drive it till she quits or my 16 year … old smashes it. AWD is great in the snow and have had no major problems. Great job Honda, put in a small six cylinder so I can pull a camping trailer and I will buy another one tomorrow.
1997 CR-V Highlights
Engine Type | Gas |
---|---|
Cargo Capacity All Seats In Place | 29.6 cu.ft. |
Drivetrain | all wheel drive |
Safety
NHTSA Overall Rating
The National Highway Transportation Safety Administration offers independent analysis.
- Frontal Barrier Crash RatingOverallNot RatedDriver4 / 5Passenger5 / 5
- Side Crash RatingOverallNot Rated
- Side Barrier RatingOverallNot RatedDriverNot RatedPassengerNot Rated
- Combined Side Barrier & Pole RatingsFront SeatNot RatedBack SeatNot Rated
- RolloverRolloverNot RatedDynamic Test ResultNo TipRisk Of RolloverNot Rated
IIHS Rating
The Insurance Institute of Highway Safety uses extensive crash tests to determine car safety.
- Small Overlap Front Driver-Side TestNot Tested
- Small Overlap Front Passenger-Side TestNot Tested
- Moderate Overlap Front Test – OriginalMarginal
- Moderate Overlap Front Test – UpdatedNot Tested
- Side Impact Test – OriginalNot Tested
- Side Impact Test – UpdatedNot Tested
- Roof Strength TestNot Tested
- Rear Crash Protection / Head RestraintNot Tested
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